During a tour of the Centennial South Colorado State Penitentiary in Canon City — which closed and moved the last of its 316 inmates to other state systems based upon inmate needs — on Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2012. The unit was used solely for administrative segregation and is now not able to be used for the general prison population.

The Joint Budget Committee approved the expense this week at the Department of Corrections’ request. The agency says it is running out of prison space and could use the Centennial South facility if it is renovated for general population use.

Lawmakers have resisted that idea in recent years. The House Judiciary Committee in May rejected a request for renovation funds. Civil rights groups also oppose the idea.

More in Crime & Courts

The Senate passed a sweeping criminal justice bill Tuesday that addresses concerns that the nation's war on drugs had led to the imprisonment of too many Americans for non-violent crimes without adequately preparing them for their return to society.